Omega Owners Forum

Omega Help Area => Omega Electrical and Audio Help => Topic started by: AMB on 04 February 2011, 10:52:28

Title: In car entertainment
Post by: AMB on 04 February 2011, 10:52:28
Hi guys, calling all experts! I am converted to IPOD and I also listen to footy commentary so I am looking to install somehting which will give me DAB, FM and IPOD plug in via AUX as opposed to the naff boradcast to tune in the car radio too.  Any advice or recommendations?

Ta
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 February 2011, 11:03:34
This might be better in the electrical section.... I'm sure a nice admin will move it shortly :y :y

May be an idea if you give us an idea of budget :y :y
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Jimbob on 04 February 2011, 11:40:36
[movedhere] Omega General Help [move by] Jimbob.
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: AMB on 04 February 2011, 12:42:01
Hi budget around 250-300 quid?
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 February 2011, 14:35:01
Quote
Hi budget around 250-300 quid?

I'm sure Dave DND will advise shortly... He is the Guru :y
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Dave DND on 04 February 2011, 14:44:02
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Quote
Hi budget around 250-300 quid?

I'm sure Dave DND will advise shortly... He is the Guru :y

Sorry, I cant do anything worth having with that spec within that budget - DAB kills it for me and takes it way over price.

 :'(
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Lazydocker on 04 February 2011, 14:45:54
Quote
Quote
Quote
Hi budget around 250-300 quid?

I'm sure Dave DND will advise shortly... He is the Guru :y

Sorry, I cant do anything worth having with that spec within that budget - DAB kills it for me and takes it way over price.

 :'(

I thought that would be your answer ::)

Personally I think DAB is overrated... On a long journey you'll still have to re-tune anyway :-/
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Dave DND on 04 February 2011, 14:54:11
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Personally I think DAB is overrated... On a long journey you'll still have to re-tune anyway 

Disagree, I think that DAB is quite good.

However, it has taken about a million steps backwards with the rumours about DAB+ or DAB2, whatever you want to call it being launched within the near future, and there is talk that it will not be compatable with existing DAB sets.

Strange that virtually all of the aftermarket car audio manufacturers have suddenly withdrawn from mainstream DAB sale - makes me think that there is some truth to it.

 :-X
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: AMB on 04 February 2011, 16:43:15
Sorry, I cant do anything worth having with that spec within that budget - DAB kills it for me and takes it way over price.

 :'([/quote]

Dave, what can be done t that price without DAB and what price doesDAB add!

Andy
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Dave DND on 04 February 2011, 16:51:46
Can only suggest to have a quick trawl of our website and see if anything appeals

 ;)
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: 2woody on 07 February 2011, 10:10:56
I have DAB in a few of my vehicles now, using the Blaupunkt Woodstock. I'm completely converted, the reception is better even than FM, and definitely no need to re-tune, ever.

Last one I bought was around £180 - and an i-pod conversion is possible. Has SD card slot, too.

Only downside is that it doesn't look like a standard radio, which is why I'll never be able to put one in an Omega.

mind you, I'm alarmed by the DAB2 rumours, too. Only our Government would "push" DAB for 10 years and then instantly make all that kit obsolete.
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Dave DND on 07 February 2011, 11:00:52
Quote
I have DAB in a few of my vehicles now, using the Blaupunkt Woodstock. I'm completely converted, the reception is better even than FM, and definitely no need to re-tune, ever.

Last one I bought was around £180 - and an i-pod conversion is possible. Has SD card slot, too.

Only downside is that it doesn't look like a standard radio, which is why I'll never be able to put one in an Omega.

mind you, I'm alarmed by the DAB2 rumours, too. Only our Government would "push" DAB for 10 years and then instantly make all that kit obsolete.

Blaupunkt Woodstock DAB 54 has got to be one of the best performers out there, a very good choice indeed !!

 :y
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Kevin Wood on 07 February 2011, 11:02:22
The problem with DAB is that the government pushed it too hard before it was a mature enough technology to take off.

It was launched and broadcasting a decade before a significant number of people were listening to it and with 1980's MP2 codecs that provide mediocre sound quality yet aren't efficient enough (even at low quality levels) in their use of the spectrum. This has made it costly for radio stations to broadcast on DAB and discouraged serious listeners for whom sound quality is important.

We are now faced with a decision to soldier on with the cr@p system we currently have and hope popularity will pick up or alienate the "early adopters" whose DAB sets don't support DAB+, switch to DAB+ and hope they make their investment again.

I see in-car listening as about the only sensible application for DAB. Sound quality isn't that important in a car for most people, you can have a respectable antenna installation, so affording the set a decent enough signal and DAB gets around mobility issues nicely without retuning.

Around the home, the quality is too poor, IME, to replace FM as a "Hi-Fi" source and the reception possible with "kitchen window-sill" type sets without an external antenna renders them unlistenable IME.

In the meanwhile, you can pick up an internet radio that connects via your Wi-Fi network and streams any radio station in the world to such a set with comparable sound quality and a perfect signal... Or you can listen via satellite TV, or terrestrial DTV, or on your computer, all without making a further investment in hardware. DAB has missed the boat as far as home use is concerned.

So, if it's in-car use that will make DAB take off, how many new cars are fitted with DAB radios as standard? How long will it be before "almost all" cars have DAB capability? If you take your car abroad, will the radio still work? ::)

Kevin
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Dave DND on 07 February 2011, 11:18:22
Well said !!

 :y
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: MV6Matt on 07 February 2011, 12:57:35
"I see in-car listening as about the only sensible application for DAB. Sound quality isn't that important in a car for most people, you can have a respectable antenna installation, so affording the set a decent enough signal and DAB gets around mobility issues nicely without retuning."

Yup I have to agree - and now that I've finally got a proper aerial and the head Unit properly installed (something to do with two leads being the other way round on Vauxhalls and VWs)it's so much better - there are just tons of different stations to listen to! I love the weirdness of some of them!

and now I find out that it'll be all change! AAAARRRGGGHHHHH! :'( :'(

Ah - Governments! Bless!

 :-/

Matthew
Title: Re: In car entertainment
Post by: Andy B on 07 February 2011, 13:07:19
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...
.... Or you can listen  .....on your computer, all without making a further investment in hardware. .....

but not if I'm you're too stupid to set it up!  :-[  :-[  :-[